Jadeveon Clowney*DE6-6256Analysis: Clowney would have been the No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft, and he's the clear favorite to be the top pick in 2014. He possesses a rare blend of size, athleticism, upper-body power and playmaking instincts. I'd like to see him improve his lower-body strength and play with more consistent leverage, but Clowney was unblockable when playing at full strength last season. His tape from the Georgia game is one of the most dominant individual defensive performances I've seen in recent years.

Teddy Bridgewater*QB6-3218Analysis: Bridgewater has a quick release, above-average accuracy and is a good athlete who can buy time and pick up the occasional first down with his feet. He's at his best in the pocket, though, from which he can pick apart defenses with his brain and arm. He sees the entire field and does not get stuck on his primary target. Bridgewater is also tough -- he played through a wrist injury in 2012 -- has the right temperament for the position and is coming off a career game in the Allstate Sugar Bowl win over Florida.

Cyrus Kouandjio*OT6-6311Analysis: Kouandjio developed into a complete left tackle last season and still has room for improvement. He has the frame (6-foot-6, 311 pounds) and feet to excel in the NFL and is ready to follow in the footsteps of former teammates Chance Warmack (Tennessee Titans) and D.J. Fluker (San Diego Chargers), who were selected 10th and 11th overall, respectively, in the 2013 draft.

Marqise Lee* WR6-1195 Analysis: Lee is a burner with big-play ability both as a vertical route-runner and after the catch. He showed the ability in 2012 to consistently separate from double coverage, and, while you'd like to see him get a little stronger, there's no doubting his competitiveness. Lee is the top draft-eligible wide receiver prospect entering the 2013 season and projects as a top-10 pick.

Anthony Barr LB6-4235Analysis: Barr exploded on the scene last season and the arrow is pointing way north. He's straight out of central casting with his long, athletic frame (6-4, 235 pounds), and with his long arms and thick trunk, he has even more size potential. Barr holds his ground well for his size, has a good first step and shows impressive closing burst. He also has quick feet and does a decent job when asked to drop into underneath coverage. His versatility only makes him more attractive.

Jake Matthews OT6-5305Analysis: Matthews would have been a first-round pick in this year's draft, but his decision to return to school makes sense for a few reasons. Expectations are extremely high for the Aggies this season, his brother Mike is the starting center and the departure of No. 2 overall pick Luke Joeckel (Jacksonville Jaguars) will allow Matthews to show NFL scouts he can move to the left side and thrive there.

Louis Nix IIINT6-3326Analysis: Nix is a massive nose tackle with the size (6-3, 326 pounds) and strength to be a two-gap plugger in the NFL. He was one of the only Notre Dame defenders who consistently held his own against Alabama in the national title game, and the Fighting Irish were not nearly as effective against the run when he was out of the lineup. Nix also shows surprising quickness and agility for his size.

Tajh BoydQB6-1225Analysis: Boyd displays the competitiveness, work ethic, toughness, arm strength and mobility to develop into a good starter in the NFL. He can improve his draft stock with more consistent decision-making and accuracy in 2013, but he has already begun building momentum by putting together the best overall game of his career in Clemson's Chick-fil-A Bowl win over LSU.

Johnny Manziel*QB6-1200Analysis: Manziel is expected to leave school after the 2013 season and will likely be the most polarizing prospect in the 2014 class. He's a unique talent with rare athleticism and instincts, and he can make throws on the run that most quarterbacks could only dream of. Still, he can become more disciplined with his reads and decisions, and his true size is a question. You have to wonder whether he can hold up physically for another full season in the SEC, but the traits of a "prototypical" NFL quarterback are being blurred, and that should work in Manziel's favor.

Adrian Hubbard*OLB6-6248Analysis: Hubbard emerged as a highly disruptive defensive standout for the Crimson Tide in 2012. He shows the ability to convert speed to power and can bend the edge as a pass-rusher. He could be a top-15 pick if he continues to improve in 2013.

Bradley Roby*CB5-11190 Analysis: Roby has shutdown man-to-man cover skills and led the nation in passes defended per game (1.73) in 2012. His size is just average (5-11, 190 pounds), but Roby has very good top-end speed and is a quick-twitch athlete with fluid hips. His instincts also continue to improve with more game experience.

C.J. MosleyLB6-2232Analysis: Mosley emerged as the top playmaker on Alabama's stout 2012 defense and likely would have been a first-round pick had he left school early. He's athletic, naturally instinctive and will push to be one of the top linebackers selected in 2014 if his take-on skills continue to improve.

Taylor Lewan OT6-8309Analysis: Lewan elected to return to school after a strong junior season and battled admirably in a one-on-one matchup versus Clowney in the Capital One Bowl. Lewan has good feet and technique, and he can improve his stock if he continues to get stronger.

Timmy Jernigan* DT6-2298Analysis: Jernigan is a classic 3-technique with his quick first step and ability to consistently penetrate and disrupt. He shows the ability to change directions and pursue plays outside the tackle box, and he recorded eight tackles for loss last season.

AJ McCarron QB6-4210Analysis: McCarron has played his best in the Tide's biggest games, and he's much more than a game manager. He flashes big-time anticipation and the ability to make NFL throws down the field. He's a better athlete than most seem to think, though we'd like to see more consistency out of him in 2013.

Antonio Richardson* OT6-6332Analysis: Richardson is a massive left tackle who forced 2012 third-round pick Dallas Thomas (Miami Dolphins) inside to guard last season. Richardson is still developing his footwork and hand placement but has the size, natural mobility and strength potential to emerge as a first-round pick in 2014.

Ifo Ekpre-Olomu* CB5-10190Analysis: Ekpre-Olomu had some trouble versus bigger receivers in 2012, and he can improve his strength. Still, he has very good speed and agility to go with loose hips. He led the Pac-12 with 20 passes defended.

Stephon Tuitt*DT6-6303Analysis: Tuitt has top-10 potential, but we want to see him play with more consistent leverage and effort in 2013. His bulk is well-proportioned, and he is athletic for his size, but can he take it to the next level? He can play the 3-technique in a four-man front or the 5-technique in a three-man line.

Loucheiz Purifoy*DB6-1189Analysis: Purifoy has experience at wide receiver, but his NFL value is at cornerback and possibly as a punt-return specialist. He was burned at times against Louisville and needs to improve his eye discipline, but he is a fantastic natural athlete with length and top-end speed.

Jeremiah Attaochu OLB6-3240Analysis: Attaochu is flying under the radar, but he has the build, torso flexibility and body control when bending the edge to develop into an impact pass-rusher in the NFL. He recorded 10 sacks last season.

Sammy Watkins* WR6-1200Analysis: One NFL scout I spoke to said Watkins would have been a first-round pick after his freshman season, but he failed to build on that momentum and had a disappointing 2012 season. He needs to stay out of trouble off the field and take better care of his body, because he has all the talent in the world.

Anthony Johnson* DT6-3310Analysis: Johnson is a talented interior lineman who showed big-time flashes as a true freshman, though he was inconsistent in 2012. He needs to play with better leverage, improve his lower-body strength and must also improve counter moves as a pass-rusher, but Johnson has a high ceiling due to his size and natural movement skills.

Daniel McCullers DT6-8380Analysis: McCullers is a monster of a man. He is unpolished in terms of technique and must keep his weight in check, but you just don't find many 6-8, 380-pounders. He played nose tackle last season but will transition to defensive tackle in the Vols' new 4-3 scheme this season.

Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix* S6-1209Analysis: Clinton-Dix is a talented youngster who finished strong last season and has the range, instincts and ball skills to emerge as a first-round pick. He recorded an interception in each of the team's final three games last season.

Jason Verrett CB5-10180Analysis: Verrett lacks ideal size and is coming off a knee injury in 2012, but he's quick-twitched with very good man-to-man cover skills. He locked down some big-time playmakers in the Big 12 in man-to-man coverage last season.

David Yankey OT6-5301Analysis: Yankey brings versatility to the table. He moved from guard to tackle last season and made significant strides as the season progressed. He is tall with adequate bulk, adequate-to-good movement skills, is technically sound and takes very good angles.

Kyle Van Noy OLB6-3235Analysis: Van Noy was the most consistent playmaker on BYU's outstanding defense, which featured 2012 No. 5 overall pick Ziggy Ansah (Detroit Lions). Van Noy must continue to get bigger and stronger, but he has versatility as a pass-rusher who can also hold up in underneath coverage. He's at his best pursuing the run, though. He has a nose for the football, outstanding intangibles and work ethic.

Aaron Lynch*DT6-6262Analysis: Lynch transferred from Notre Dame, where he led the Irish with 5.5 sacks as a true freshman in 2011. He needs to return to form in 2013 after redshirting last season.

Ka'Deem Carey* RB5-10203Analysis: Carey is a quick and versatile back who led the nation in rushing with an average of 148.2 yards per game in 2012.

Mike Evans* WR6-5218Analysis: Evans emerged as Manziel's go-to receiver in 2012, ending his redshirt freshman season with more than 1,100 receiving yards. Evans has to develop his route-running skills, but he has an enormous frame and very good athleticism for his size.

Ryan Shazier* OLB6-2226Analysis: Shazier is a big-time playmaker who always seems to be around the ball. He's undersized but has room on his frame to add bulk and strength, and he's a good tackler with outstanding range both versus the run and in coverage.

De'Anthony Thomas* RB5-9173Analysis: Thomas is a less-accomplished/less-developed version of 2013 first-round pick Tavon Austin (St. Louis Rams). He's the fastest player in the nation with the ball in his hands, but he needs to make a more consistent impact in 2013.
Ten more to monitor
• DE Morgan Breslin, USC
• DE Scott Crichton*, Oregon State
• WR Brandon Coleman, Rutgers
• QB David Fales, San Jose State
• OLB A.J. Johnson*, Tennessee
• OLB Christian Jones, Florida State
• OLB Trent Murphy, Stanford
• RB Lache Seastrunk*, Baylor
• TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins*, Washington
• DE Will Sutton, Arizona State

New York Jets: Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina
Clowney is so good, he could be considered a steal with the third-overall pick. The Jets have their quarterback of the future with Geno Smith, so they could pass on a first-round quarterback to get this phenom. Clowney, Sheldon Richardson, Quinton Coples and Muhammed Wilkerson could form a legendary defensive line.

A prep superstar, Clowney was the top recruit in the nation for 2011 and didn't disappoint as a freshman. He was the 2011 SEC Freshman of the Year and a Second-Team All-SEC selection.

Clowney has shown off elite speed and athleticism as a pass-rusher since Day 1. He totaled 36 tackles, eight sacks, 12 tackles for a loss and five forced fumbles as a true freshman. Clowney did well against top competition including a good game against Georgia's Cordy Glenn.

Clowney was a dominant force in 2012, and was one of the best players in college football. The sophomore amassed 54 tackles, 23.5 tackles for a loss and 13 sacks. Steve Spurrier said Clowney was NFL-ready coming out of high school.

The 6-foot-6, 256-pounder could turn into the Andrew Luck of defensive draft prospects; a high-pick lock who is extremely coveted by every team in the NFL. The scary part: Clowney could be become even better as he gains strength. Clowney is impossible to single-block and tied for the second in the nation in sacks in 2012.

And he's mocked Teddy to the Jags and Johnny Football to the Raiders

Would be worth the wait all these years to get this beast. It will be interesting to see all the changes to these predictions over the next year.

I honestly just don't know if we'll be bad enough to have a whack at him or teddy. I know we're bad but as bad as we were this past year we were still only the 9th pick, I don't see us plummeting 7-8 more spots with the roster we have now...while it was tough to watch my team this past year, it still wasn't as atrocious as teams who pick in the top 3.

I think the Jets have thankfully hit their rock bottom. It doesn't seem likely to finish worse than we did last year (which is what would be required to score Clowney). It's entirely likely that we'll go through some growing pains and have a 6-10 or 7-9 season, but 3-13?

I think the Jets have thankfully hit their rock bottom. It doesn't seem likely to finish worse than we did last year (which is what would be required to score Clowney). It's entirely likely that we'll go through some growing pains and have a 6-10 or 7-9 season, but 3-13?

I believe in 2013 the Jets will not improve in the standings for a few reasons. First, we lost some key players on this team. Yes some were old and past their prime or injured for much of the year, but we have not adequetly replaced them for 2013. Primarily, I am looking at the TE and safety positions. I think that our D is going to feel the loss of the two solid (at worst) safeties that we had last year. Whoever the Jets have in the pipeline will not be up to the level of the 2 safeties we just lost for the upcoming season. I know Keller was hurt much of last year, but I believe that it was important to address that position early in the draft. I think one of the (many) reasons Mark regressed was because he did not have a credible threat at TE.

Speaking of Mark, that brings me to the next reason our record will not improve. Unless Gerrard wins the QB battle and [B]stays healthy[B] for the 2013 campaign I believe that our QB play will actually get worse for 2013. Mark is damaged goods at this point and Geno would be a rookie QB without any weapons that opponents would fear. Perhaps in 2014, but the 2013 campaign does not promise to show us improved QB play.

Speaking of rookies, as talented as I believe Milliner to be he will be a rookie corner this year. Also, please keep in mind that Rex' defense has regressed every year since he has been here. How has it imporved? As I have stated, our safety play in 2013 will most likely regress WITH a rookie CB.

Also, while we are trying to regroup the other teams in the league and around us have improved.

Finally, our schedule is a beast. The league did us no favors with that schedule. I know that it is preseason and a lot can happen along the way, but this is all we have to look at now (what we know now). Looking at that schedule please tell me where you think our 6 wins are coming from. I believe that it is possible for this team to improve and actually regress in the standings just because of the schedule we are playing.